MMA legend who was brutally knocked out by Francis Ngannou scoffs at Jake Paul’s boxing call out

ALISTAIR OVEREEM knows first hand of the power Francis Ngannou possesses – so he cannot take Jake Paul’s callout seriously.

Paul was due to face lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis next Saturday in a Miami exhibition bout that was due to be aired on Netflix.

But the event was cancelled after Davis was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-girlfriend – who filed a civil lawsuit against the controversial American.

So Paul and his camp frantically searched for replacements, approaching ex-UFC champion Ngannou – who lost his two bouts in the ring – among others potential opponents.

Ngannou, beaten by Tyson Fury in controversial circumstances before a KO loss to Anthony Joshua, blasted the offer and claimed he felt “disrespected” – sparking a back and forth with Paul.

But Overeem – who was brutally knocked out by Ngannou in round one of their 2017 UFC bout – scoffed at Paul’s offer.

Overeem, 45, told SunSport: “I don’t really take that seriously, even though Jake Paul has proven to be an OK fighter, but I don’t take him serious calling him out.

“Again, I don’t really take it seriously.”

Ngannou walked out on the UFC as heavyweight champ to pursue boxing, dropping Fury in his 2023 debut before losing a split-decision.

He was then knocked out by Joshua in March 2024 – with Overeem ringside and left impressed with the Cameroonian’s venture into the ring.

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He said: “Very impressive performance against Tyson Fury. I was actually there for the Joshua fight, yeah these are amazing performances as well.”

Paul, 28, is still on the search for a replacement opponent in December while Ngannou, 39, has teased a return to the ring.

But for Overeem – who retired from MMA officially in 2023 – he is happy living the retired life.

He said ahead of Brave 100, live on talkSPORT in Bahrain: “It’s lovey, 25 years of fights, 94 fights to be exact. I’m out of the stress.

“Fighting is stress. The lead ups, the training camps are stress, competing and fighting is extreme stress.

“It’s been a wonderful, magnificent journey, I’ve seen the world. But now it’s time to step away from that. That’s where I’ve been the last three years.

“Transitioning out of fighting is easier said than done, fighting was so fantastic for me but now I’ve had my share of battles. It’s time to help others win their battles.”